CHAPTER 1
Philosophy of Hinduism
I
What is the philosophy of Hinduism ? This is a question which arises in its logical sequence. But apart from its logical sequence its importance is such that it can never be omitted from consideration. Without it no one can understand the aims and ideals of Hinduism.
It is obvious that such a study must be preceded by a certain amount of what may be called clearing of the ground and defining of the terms involved.
At the outset it may be asked what does this proposed title comprehend ? Is this title of the Philosophy of Hinduism of the same nature as that of the Philosophy of Religion ? I wish I could commit myself one way or the other on this point. Indeed I cannot. I have read a good deal on the subject, but I confess I have not got a clear idea of what is meant by Philosophy of Religion. This is probably due to two facts. In the first place while religion is something definite, there is nothing definite [1] as to what is to be included in the term philosophy In the second place Philosophy and Religion have been adversaries if not actual antagonists as may be seen from the story of the philosopher and the theologian. According to the story, the two were engaged in disputation and the theologian accused the philosopher that he was “like a blind man in a dark room, looking for a black cat which was not there”. In reply the philosopher charged the theologian saying that “he was like a blind man in the dark room, looking for a black cat which was not there but he declared to have found there” Perhaps it is the unhappy chioce of the title — Philosophy of Religion—which is responsible for causing confusion in the matter of the exact definition of its field. The nearest approach to an intelligible statement as to the exact subject matter of Philosophy of Religion I find in Prof. Pringle-Pattison who observes [2] :—
1 See Article on ‘Philosophy’ in Munro’s Encyclopaedia of Education.
2 The Philosophy of Religion. Oxf. pages 1-2.